Regional all-inclusive resort chain Sandals has forged a partnership with the fisheries sub-sector in St Vincent & the Grenadines.

In what Sandals is hailing as a promising development for local fisheries and the tourism industry, the Jamaican resort giant and the National Fisherfolk Organisation (NFO) are ‘far advanced’ towards establishing a mutually beneficial partnership that could transform the local seafood supply chain.

The partnership represents a broader initiative by the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) to integrate the fisheries sector more closely with tourism, potentially creating new economic opportunities for local communities.

To this end, key representatives from the NFO, led by its president, Winsbert Harry, and Sandals Resort’s Matthew Flynn, visited the Barrouallie Fishing Cooperative to explore opportunities for local seafood procurement on Tuesday (October 21). The visit marks a crucial step in connecting local fishermen with international hospitality markets.

“This meeting was incredibly fruitful,” Harry declared, highlighting the potential for economic empowerment. “Our fishermen are now preparing themselves to meet the high standards required by Sandals Resort.” A one-day workshop held on Wednesday further explored how strategic collaboration between tourism and fisheries can drive sustainable community development.